Uke River in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa state looks like any other river. Calm, serene, it provides water for plants and animals around its path. The deadly river located at Nasarawa State consumes at least three non-natives yearly. The river known as Uke River is said to look like any other river; calm, serene, it provides water for plants and animals around its path and most worrisome, according to villagers, is that the natives are never the victims. The latest victims are three pupils from Enugu State who drowned last month.


The numerous deaths by drowning in Kogi River are alarming. They are always very mysterious. Even when it is too shallow or almost dry, people still get drowned in the river. Most of the deceased’s remains were never recovered.

It was gathered that it is ritualistic. The tradition of the inhabitants shows that there is a traditional priest who is mandated to perform some rituals before a corpse that got missing in the river could be recovered. It is said that he uses to commune with the water goddesses to seek permission. He is titled ‘sarki ruwa’. The ritual involves killing of a white fowl. Once it is performed, the priest dives into the water and brings the corpse out in a matter of seconds.